Press Release

New Release Book Launch at Beyond the Sea; “Tales of the Cemetery Trees” by John R. Cobb

On Saturday, July 20th, 1:00-4:00, Beyond the Sea, at Lincolnville Beach, will be pleased to host the official book launch for John R. Cobb’s new work, “Tales of the Cemetery Trees”, a compilation of eclectic short stories, including crime, fantasy, mystery and the supernatural. John is a proud Mainer with a great affection for the woods and waters, who released his debut novel, “Judith: A Quoddy Tale”, in February 2012.

Folks are asked to plan to be seated just before 1:00 p.m., when John will be reading, and giving a talk followed by book signing.

“Even though I’m a melancholy person by nature, I like to explore and photograph cemeteries. Generally peaceful and picturesque, these places have a soothing effect on me, the white noise in my mind supplanted by chattering squirrels and chirping songbirds.

Given my great affection for nature, my attention is often drawn to the botany of the graveyards more than the tombstones. Maine has an abundance of old cemeteries, and many overseers have long nurtured impressive oak, maple, cedar, and pine within and along the graveyard fringes. Although traditional worshipers might pooh-pooh the notion, I like to believe in the presence of souls in all living things. Given that belief, I can’t help but wonder about the awareness of trees, especially the cemetery trees.

Standing sentinel over our final resting places, the cemetery trees seek familiar faces. They watch us when we are living and most forlorn, and they watch us after our passing and others mourn. Except for occasional visitors like me, the trees seldom see us in between. Unsatisfied with such little knowing, perhaps, their roots keep growing and growing, burrowing deeper and deeper, searching for memories, overlooked by the reaper.”